Houston Firefighters union sounds alarm on Christmas fire truck shortage
"I am very concerned about the ability of our firefighters to respond to calls for service," Marty Lancton, the president of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, said in a statement."It is a critical situation that places the safety of our firefighters and the citizens of Houston at risk. It is especially concerning considering that we are heading into the third night of record-freezing temperatures that have increased calls for service.
All 104 EMS units are in service Saturday, plus four additional peak-time ambulances, all 88 engine/fire trucks and 25 out of 38 ladder trucks, according to Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña.However, Peña said staffing levels have been impacted by Proposition B, a ballot measure approved by Houston voters over four years ago that is still being litigated.The city has fought to prevent the measure from going into effect, and theis currently before the Texas Supreme Court.
Proposition B"forced the city to cancel 4 academy classes, resulting in missing the recruitment target by 280 firefighters. We appreciate all the firefighters working today, but staffing becomes even more challenging during the holidays when less personnel volunteer for overtime," Peña said Saturday.
Houston Firefighters responded to at least three fires overnight on Friday, including an apartment fire in the 6300 block of Windswept Lane near Hillcroft, a house fire near the intersection of Finch and Elbert and a house fire at the intersection of Castor and Crosstimbers.
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